THSCC Forums

Another fine event organized by Mark, Stacy and all others involved in the THSCC and Z Club Time Trial. Had an interesting variety of weather. Saturday was cool but dry and Sunday started off cool, wet and rainy but then, at lunch time, switched to dry, sunny and cool to be followed by clouds. Never really warmed up on Sunday. The wet gave students and instructors a chance to work on smoothness and both groups did well. I don't recall many if any offs in the wet for students and just a few spins by the instructors. And, to the instructors credit, many went out in the rain! The person who impressed me the most (forgive me for not remembering his name) was the gentleman in the 911. Imagine driving that in the rain on wide limited tread tires! And he drove it well!

Even with the less than perfect weather we had minimal offs (well, not counting Saturday morning where many folks decided to try both feet in and drove off!) and only one small impact the whole weekend. The Matt Graham memorial tire wall was visited on Sunday but remarkably the car escaped with little evidence of the trip!

Times will certainly be posted but the fastest were in the 1:47 range with the mortal of us driving more in the 1:56 and up range! It seemed that most times were slower on Sunday but there were a few exceptions. All in all fine driving by those participating in the school and in the Time Trial. I was impressed by the driving in the student groups. Few incidents to be reported and all in all very good driving. I went out in one yellow group session on Sunday and was highly impressed with that group.

Thanks to all for another well run, well organized weekend. We are getting spoiled by this!

On a personal note I'd like to point out the efforts of one individual. A Miata was towed in after one session on Sunday with the clutch not engaging. Having owned a Miata I knew that they used a slave cylinder for engagement. After looking at the fluid (which was the color of coffee!) I suggested letting the car cool down and perhaps the clutch would engage.

Well, after coming off track and then getting ready to do raw sheets for the TT I saw Geoff Zimmer over at this gentleman's car bleading the clutch slave. Geoff of course had his own car to maintain, family to keep track of and students to instruct but there he was digging in and helping. Later I'm pretty sure I saw the car out during the TT. Geoff, great effort and THANKS for that!

Well, thats a wrap for the year. Hope everyone that is thinking about doing an event makes plans for next year. Don't wait any longer. Come on out and do it!

Ron

This was my first HPDE and I had a great time. Thanks to every one who made it possible. Extra thanks to Mike Whitney for being an excellent instructor, and Bowie for taking me out to show me what Miata can do with a real driver and not a hack.

Another round of thanks to everyone (I'd list names, but I'd forget someone) who helped me pull the valve cover off to check the timing belt, putting it all back together, then diagnosing the issue as a completely blocked cat, and then "field dressing" said dead cat.

Whitney gets another round since he helped pull the valve cover and only went away when he was called to grid for his TT run, then came back and attacked the exhaust problem with an impact wrench. Thanks to all the help we were able to drop the jack 5 minutes before my last session and get to grid right on time. This is one lap from my last session. I get owned by an Alfa http://homepage.mac.com/dspratte/iMovieTheater4.html.

It'll be a long time until February.

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Not spectacular just decent.
I'm not sure what I'm driving.
Maybe an ITR in DS.
Or half-assed STX prepped 330.

I heard it was the cat and not the timing belt. Was wondering whose red Miata was up under the tech shed being torn into and was glad it was an "easy" fix!

David....Do you want to post the one lap that I went by you in the 240Z?...not to rub it in or anything...I just would love to see my own tail without a mirror....great driving on your last lap...looks like you got the car handling smoooooooth.......
I would not have been able to hear my instructor without the cool radio system he was using...Paul Tillery was a huge help in sorting out my driving abilities.

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Paint don't make it go any faster.

Great event all around! My first time at CMP and the track was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Only one session in the rain made me happy, especially since its a much better track than VIR in the rain, where I've had about 10-12 sessions in the rain this year :/.

The slow section/autox whatever you want to call 11-14 were a great place to learn a bit about aggressive throttle application in the dry.

I'll dig it out. I'll probably be able to choose from several laps where you passed me.

That wasn't my last lap of day. It is the last full lap I got on tape though. I burnt too much video on Mike and I diagnosing the car in grid during the second session and didn't get a new tape before third.

It's shame. Later in my third session, I almost collected that Valiant right after The Kink.

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Not spectacular just decent.
I'm not sure what I'm driving.
Maybe an ITR in DS.
Or half-assed STX prepped 330.

Always willing to beat on anyones car or parts there of , with a hammer

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91 Jetta GLI STS/DSP 111
85 Porsche 944 ASP 11
http://www.blackforestindustries.com

I had the feeling it was a little "therapeutic" for you.

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Not spectacular just decent.
I'm not sure what I'm driving.
Maybe an ITR in DS.
Or half-assed STX prepped 330.

I'm one of those folks that does not think of CMP as a Favorite Track but if Track's where Hamburgers and I wasn't going to get one for 4plus months, I would be Happy to have one(CMP).

I did have much better time on Sunday than Saturday. Only because some folks were so much help. Needing both Tires and Brakes after Saturday, KARL KAUFFMAN was good enough to wait with me at the fantastic Wal*Mart as I begged the Mrg to please let us help Him change my tire's on these Rim's He was quite afraid of breaking. I wouldn't tell you that He would do the same again but I would sure think if you do need something from Automotive Dept., it would be a Great thing to mention you had run into a very Happy Customer.

I also want to thank Ron Spencer who loaned me several thing's not the least was advice. Thank You Mike Whitney also for helping out. Also was loaned stuff from a nice man named Ron? And especially the two guy's next to me with all the Cool Tool's. I have forgot your name's too but sure couldn't have had the big smile without you guy's (GTI and Miata).

Last, not least. Thank You Mark Vitacco, Stacy King and Jonie and Chochie on Timing and Scoring. (two of witch didn't even have cars). All the folks that put this great event on. My student's seemed to really get a lot better with no small part from Our class room instructors. Thanks for all making my Job (read pleasure) easier. See You Guy's/Gal's next year.

PS: I like doing the TT earlier as done Sunday, would love to see it rotated to a Saturday now and then too.

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Folks, Alway's be aware. I work out of town and it may be a while before I can read mail. Thanks,
Bill Gratton
caines21@wmconnect.com
910 670 1302